(Southern Region- Xercopolis Empire)
(Huren Province- Unnamed Village)
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The drums continued to play as Xu Lu grabbed Jiang Xin by her hand and dragged her towards the circle.
She could feel her heart beating just as loudly as the drums.
Thump... thump... thump...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Xu Lu didn't know why she had just suddenly grabbed the beautiful woman's palm nor why she had brought her into the circle without getting her permission.
All she knew was that she didn't want to see Jiang Xin dance with anyone else. It didn't matter if they were a man or a woman.
Jiang Xin could only dance with her.
Xu Lu didn't notice the subtle undercurrent of jealousy and possessiveness in her thoughts as she led the beautiful girl to the circle.
She wrapped her arms around Jiang Xin's body and brought her in close until they were pressed up against one another.
"May I dance with you?" Xu Lu's whispered in a low sultry voice that made the girl in her arms blush uncontrollably.
Jiang Xin stared at the female cultivator whose soft brown eyes seemed to contain an endless amount of love and affection.
What? What was going on?
She felt confused... she felt confused about why she was so comfortable with this situation.
Being near a cultivator usually made her skin crawl but there was something about this masked woman that just seemed so...
Familiar.
Xu Lu could see the mixed emotions on Jiang Xin's face but only thought that it was because of her unexpected move.
Damn it!
Why was she so reckless?
What if Jiang Xin didn't want to dance? Why would she force her to go into the circle?
The saintess gritted her teeth and looked around her immediate surroundings. They were now the centre of attention.
The male suitors on the edge of the circle did not look happy and Xu Lu could hear them cursing softly under their breath.
Even the other dancers were occasionally giving them some glances of curiosity.
No... she had to do something...
Xu Lu focused on what the other dancers were doing and used her good memory and quick reflexes to mimic their moves.
She pulled Jiang Xin forward until their foreheads slightly touched. The music still played in the background, but the two young women were lost in their own world.
Xu Lu used her hands to grab on to Jiang Xin's shoulders and spun her around gently like a top.
She used her palms to lift up the beautiful woman and then flung her in the air.
Jiang Xin let out a surprised gasp as she soared upwards. It almost felt as though she was able to fly.
A normal person who had just been thrown upwards would feel some fear, but Jiang Xin instinctively knew that the female cultivator would always catch her.
She would never let her get hurt.
Xu Lu positioned herself under the falling girl and caught her in her arms in a princess carry. She spun around while holding Jiang Xin close to her chest.
This was one of the benefits of being a cultivator. She could use her enhanced strength to wow the crowd.
Loud cheers and applause rang out from the spectators as they enjoyed the impressive move.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The men beating the drums started to play faster and faster until a loud cacophony of noise filled the village.
The dancing became more frantic, but Xu Lu easily matched the pace of the other villagers who were in the circle.
Jiang Xin tried her best to follow along and Xu Lu helped her by being the lead and guiding her through the dance steps.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
It was a magical experience.
Xu Lu didn't know what it was about this girl that made butterflies appear in her stomach.
She looked completely different to Camilla and yet... there was something about her that made her heart skip a beat.
The dancing and singing continued on until nightfall. Xu Lu stuck to Jiang Xin's side and chased off all the men who wanted to dance with her.
The pair spoke about all sorts of things as the hours went by.
Jiang Xin was particularly interested in Xu Lu's life as a cultivator so the saintess tried her best to answer her questions.
Xu Lu had not felt this happy in a long time.
Actually, this was the first time that she felt so at peace since coming to this world.
And it was all because of her.
Jiang Xin was saying something, but Xu Lu could not help but get lost in her beautiful features.
Her piercing grey eyes were mesmerising, and the soft gentle features of her face made Xu Lu want to protect her for the rest of her life.
What are you doing?
Isn't this too fast? And besides... it would be too dangerous to get involved with a mortal.
Xu Lu let out a light sigh under her breath as she remembered her mission in this world.
She needed to leave one of the strongest sects in the entire continent and betray them by joining the demonic path.
Anyone with any ties to her would be in danger. The righteous sects would not hesitate to capture or even torture the ones she loved.
And there was another much darker emotion hidden behind Xu Lu's calm exterior. A voice from the original Xu Lu that reminded her about her deepest fear.
(Do you really think that she would like you? Look in the mirror... you are a hideous little monster)
(What? Do you honestly believe that such a gorgeous woman would be happy to see what's underneath that mask of yours?)
(Ugly... ugly... ugly...)
The voice got louder and louder until it became a deafening cry. Xu Lu shook her head and lightly touched the corner of her mask.
She... she couldn't stay here...
"Are you okay?" Jiang Xin asked with concern evident in her voice. She just discovered that the female cultivator was acting unusually quiet.
"Yeah... yeah... I just... I need to continue on my travels..." Xu Lu apologetically replied as she stood up from the ground.
"Really? Don't you want to stay for the night?" Jiang Xin asked softly.
Xu Lu turned away since she wasn't sure if she would be able to resist the beautiful village girl if she looked at her directly.
No... she needed to leave... Jiang Xin... she deserved someone better...
Someone who wasn't... broken...
"I see... well thank you for joining our celebration. I don't know if we will meet again but I will never forget you," Jiang Xin promised shyly.
"Please... allow me to give you a gift..."
The young woman ran towards her house while gesturing for Xu Lu to remain in the same spot until she returned.
Xu Lu waited patiently with a trace of anticipation in her heart. She still heard the voice in her mind, but it was muffled and distorted.
Deciding to leave this place was the right decision but... that did not make it seem any less painful.
Jiang Xin returned carrying a small golden bracelet with a kneeling figure engraved onto its outer metallic surface.
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